touring high schools? x posted in teens

[kathymuggle]

My DS, who has been largely (but not exclusively) HS is considerring whether or not he wants to go to high school in the fall. He has not made up his mind.

I am going to suggest to him we tour the 3 high schools that are possibilities - and see what he thinks.

Are there any questions you can think of that I or DS need to ask the guidance counsellor (or whoever is doing the tour)?

I have a few (to show you waht I am after)?

1. What clubs are in the school? Are they after school or on lunches? Is there busing for them? Are they open to all grades?

2. How much homework do you expect of the kids? What resources are there if they struggle?

3. Do you have any issues with him bringing a laptop to school and using it?

4. What do you think of part time enrollment?

5. DS has already taken the grade 9 geography course - what would he do during this time slot?

Any suggestions appreciated!

Kathy

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

1. What clubs are in the school? Are they after school or on lunches? Is there busing for them? Are they open to all grades?

I'd ask if they have limits as to how many people can be in things and how decisions are made (many of the activities at my kids' school have try outs or applications)

If your kid hears they have a chess team and gets all excited, you don't want to wait half way through the school year to hear that it is limited to X number of students and the first *meeting* is really a tournament to figure out who gets to be on the team.

2. How much homework do you expect of the kids? What resources are there if they struggle?

This is a toughie because every teacher is different. How can kids check assignments if they are confused. Is there a web site? A voice mail system?

What is the consequence for not getting all work done on time? It's really common for kids new to school to figure to bring everything home or not get everything written down.

How do teachers communicate with parents? How are parents encouraged to communicate with teachers?

3. Do you have any issues with him bringing a laptop to school and using it?

why would he need one? Does he have special needs? If so, those need to be addressed in a formal way.

With the amount of stuff the kids have to carry and the difficulty going getting back to the locker between each class, carrying extra stuff isn't a good idea (IMHO)

5. DS has already taken the grade 9 geography course - what would he do during this time slot?

I'd ask about electives, honors classes, etc.

I'd also ask about trips, service projects, policies on bullying, class sizes (which can be VERY different for different subjects) and lunch options.

How long do they have for class changes? What if this isn't enough time? Are kids allowed to carry back packs around school? (here they aren't because of possible weapons issues).

Are they allowed to use calculators? What are the major discipline issues at the school? Is there a dress code?

I'd ask what resources they have to help him transition. When my kids started school after homeschooling, the school had never had kids that old who'd never been to school before, so they followed their protocol for foreign students, which worked out well.

[kathymuggle]

Thanks for the reply, Linda...good stuff in there!

As per his writing, he may or may not have mild dysgraphia (in some ways he fits the profile and in some ways he does not). He does have a diagnosis of it. He certainly prefers to keyboard.

Kathy

[LauraLoo]

A simple question, but I'd ask the guidance counselor what they think are the best qualities of the school. Let them know that you are considering 3 different schools. Sit back and listen to the answer - sometimes the answers are very telling.

I'm assuming that you've covered most of the academic side - what types of classes are avail. (AP, etc.) and if dual enrollment with a local college is a possibility and how that works.

[happysmileylady]

I suggest asking about discipline-do they have any zero tolerence policies, what steps are taken for what offenses, how are bullies/hazings handled, as well as how are victims handled and how is defending yourself punished.

Also, the laptop...even if he needs it, I don't know that I would trust a laptop in a regular public school. If it's a private or charter school and laptops are common for most students, it probably wouldn't be an issue, but at most schools I have seen, even if they are allowed, they aren't common and as such, are targets.

You will also want to know how their courses and graduation policies compare to state standards, as well as how they go about getting their students to meet those standards. Some schools simply require that you have X classes to graduate and for those classes that don't require pre-reqs, it doesn't matter when in the school year they take them. Also, what summer classes are available and how are they offered.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

Thanks for the reply, Linda...good stuff in there!

As per his writing, he may or may not have mild dysgraphia (in some ways he fits the profile and in some ways he does not). He does have a diagnosis of it. He certainly prefers to keyboard.

Kathy

The way it works out for my DD (who has fine motor deficits as part of another dx) is that she has a 504 Plan listing accommodations, and one of those accommodations is "Assignments requiring hand writing may be modified to ensure success." She types many assignments that other students write by hand, and sometimes we scan things in to help with this.

I would start the year with the official dx and letting the school know that accommodations may be needed. I'm not familiar with how these things are handled in Canada. Here, teachers do not need to be at all flexible unless there is a 504 Plan.

On things like a test that the kids are just filling in, a lap top isn't going to help at all.

My DD has a lap top but doesn't take it to school. It really just wouldn't work to take it to school. The amount of other stuff she needs to carry around is excessive, and the laptop would only complicate things.

[ollyoxenfree]

Regarding course selection - Following up on the geography credit issue and homeschooling, I'd ask if they have a process for recognizing previous and ongoing independent learning. He may have covered some or all of the math or science or other courses in his homeschooling. If you think he has (do they have written curriculum expectations for each grade?), will they do placement testing or some other assessment of his achievements? Then, will they give him credit and place him in a upper grade course (if that's what he wants)?

Regarding part-time enrolment, I'd ask for a few details of possible arrangements. Is it possible to have independent courses or take virtual schooling or outside (other high schools, community college, etc.) courses? Since he's used to homeschooling, I imagine the more flexibility in creating a course-load, the better. It's always good to know what options are available, even if he thinks he just wants to sign up for a full-time program right now.

Are there special program options - work co-op placement programs, foreign exchange programs, outdoor education centres, school at sea for a semester..... If there aren't, but your ds wants to try something, would they support him?

Dress code expectations - if they are something that will bother him (or you).

Conflict resolution programs/strategies - What happens if there are problems with fellow students? Do they have a formal process in place? Are there student peer programs? I'd talk to other students to find out how effective they are.

You could ask for copies of a couple of newsletters and minutes from a few school-parent association meetings from the past year, to get a flavour of the schools.

Aside from extra-curricular clubs, I'd ask what kind of community involvement happens with the schools. Do they have partnerships with child care/senior centres/community projects etc.

The best insight will probably come from other parents and students. If you don't know families with children at these schools, I'd ask for phone numbers of a couple of parents who would be willing to talk to you. I'd ask those parents what the biggest issues were at the school for the past couple of years. I'd ask the students the same thing (they may have different views).

Good luck with it.